Psychoactive drug dependence, relapse and their determinants: Findings from methadone maintenance treatment program in Patan Mental Hospital

Pages: 183-187
Ananta Prasad Adhikari1, Pramila Panta2, Suman Prasad Adhikari3, Binita Dhungel4, and Trishna Ghosh Chettri5 (Patan Mental Hospital, Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal and National Academy of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal1, Nagarik College of Health Sciences, Purbanchal University, Kathmandu, Nepal2, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Bhandarkhal, Kathmandu, Nepal3, Mental Hospital, Lagankhel, Nepa4,5)

Drug dependence is a chronic relapsing condition. Management of drug dependence remains at early phases in context of Nepal. Methadone maintenance treatment program is one of the therapies aimed at preventing relapses. Thus this study aimed to examine the socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics and determinants in cases of psychoactive drug dependence and relapses. Fifty patients with Opiate dependence who presented to MMTP were studied. Descriptive, cross sectional study was done at MMTP of Patan Mental Hospital. Twentieth version of Statistical package for social science (SPSS-20) was used to analyze data. Among clients enrolled in the study, majority (82%) were young and mid-aged. 90% belonged to middle or high income groups. Relapses were commonly found in mid-aged people (70% were between 31 to 50 years). In 80% of cases relapses were frequent. People using psychoactive substances experience frequent relapses. Pattern of use of these substances have shifted to more harder and synthetic products. MMTPwas started as part of managing drug dependence and relapses.